PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns are one ping pong ball from disaster at Monday’s NBA draft lottery. The lottery is the biggest day of the offseason for many bottom feeding teams in the league. Many teams are just one pick away from jumpstarting their franchise to superstardom, and that starts at the draft lottery.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The highly-prized, expected number one pick Duke’s Cooper Flagg is that type of prospect to save the franchise. However, despite missing the playoffs and being the lottery, the Suns have no shot to get Flagg.
Feb 27, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia watches a game against the New Orleans Pelicans in the second quarter at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
When Phoenix traded for 15-time All-Star Kevin Durant it gave up its 2025 1st-round pick. This past offseason, the Houston Rockets traded multiple picks for this year’s Suns pick, with rumors of trying to pull off its own Durant trade. For now, the trade hasn’t happened, but now the Rockets have a chance to get a generational prospect like Flagg.
Oct 4, 2024; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) is introduced to the fans during Countdown to Craziness at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images
Suns/Rockets have 3.8% for #1 Pick (9th best odds)
Last year’s lottery had the Atlanta Hawks with a 3% chance land the number-one pick. Atlanta grabbed promising forward Zaccharie Risacher with the top pick in the 2024 NBA draft. The Suns have even better odds than the Hawks to land the top pick in this year’s draft.
Rumors are still prominent of the Rockets trading the pick to the Suns in a Durant trade this offseason, but if the franchise is able to get within the top three, then Houston has no real incentive to trade a top prospect for a 36-year-old in the final year of his contract.
Mar 30, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) and Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) fight for position in the first half at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
The best case scenario for Phoenix is for the Rockets to stay put at the projected ninth pick. General manager Brian Gregory could still grab a top 10 pick from the Rockets in a Durant trade in their effort to rebuild.
Suitor for Suns’ Kevin Durant won’t unload picks in potential trade
Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
